Polk County Paula showed up for the annual Groundhog Day party at The High Life Lounge last year. / Register file photo

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In this new romantic comedy, a computer scientist hooks up with a molecular biologist by blinding her with science, of course. When Elliot builds a computer program to help Molly with her research , the variables in their evolving relationship shift as rapidly as the terms of their experiment. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday at the Des Moines Playhouse, 831 42nd St. $23 adults, $20 students. www.dmplayhouse.com

2. David Plowden’s IowaFriday

Photographer David Plowden has been called “an American treasure” by historian David McCullough. His travel­ing exhibition of black-and-white images of rural Iowa were taken over a 40-year period and will come to the Iowa History Center at Simpson College, 701 N. C St., Indianola. The exhibition runs through May 31 in the Kent Campus Center on the Simpson College campus in Indianola. This is the exhibit’s only central Iowa stop. 515-961-1369. Free.

The High Life Lounge, 200 S.W. Second St., holds its ninth annual celebration, starting at 6 a.m. Polk County Paula will look for her shadow at 7:30 a.m. and make her prediction about when winter ends. Free Miller High Life will be given out from 6 to 8 a.m. and Mr. Baber’s Neighbors performs at 10 a.m. Breakfast specials will be served until 11 a.m., including biscuits and gravy ($4), Quiche Paula ($4) and all-you-can-eat-pancakes ($5). Free admission. www.thehighlifelounge.com

4. Skywalk Golf ClassicSaturday

Mini golf returns to downtown, with tee times starting at 8 a.m. in the Kaleidoscope at the Hub, 555 Walnut St. The tournament has two courses and is open to singles, doubles and foursomes. Prizes are awarded with each hole-in-one. $35. www.skywalkgolf.com

5. Bike Ride to RippeySaturday

Polar plunges are cold, but if you’re looking for something even more chilling, there’s always the annual BRR. The 24-mile round trip takes riders from Perry to Rippey and back, and is held no matter what the weather is like. The new Raccoon River Bike Shop, next door to the Hotel Pattee, will have its grand opening Saturday. $17 to $27 depending on how much swag you want for riding. $5 more day of ride. Begins at Hotel Pattee, 1112 Willis Ave., Perry.

Bonus: New movies

Check out the movies opening in Des Moines this weekend with our new movie roundup, where you can browse reviews, look up showtimes and watch trailers.